66% of cut women said they usually or always orgasm during sexual intercourse, in comparison to 59% of uncut women, according to a study of Nigerian women. The circumcised women said their breasts, not the clitoris, are their most sexually sensitive body part. The study's authors concluded that genital cutting may alter, rather than eliminate women's sexual sensation. It also debunks the myth that circumcised women cannot orgasm or enjoy sex.
The scientific study investigated and compared the self-reported sexual experiences of 1.836 women in Edo State, Nigeria, in 1998-1999. The study involved healthy premenopausal women, most of whom were married and sexually active.
The aim of the study was to measure the frequency of self-reported female orgasms during sexual intercourse and symptoms of reproductive tract infections among cut and uncut women in Edo State, Nigeria.
Female genital cutting, also known as female circumcision or female genital mutilation (FGM), refers to the removal of part(s) of the external genitalia (clitoral hood, clitoris, labia minora or labia majora).
Many African cultures practice different forms of female genital cutting for socio-cultural reasons. The cut Nigerian women in this study reportedly had "less severe" forms of genital cutting than the more extreme forms of genital cutting which are commonly practised in east African countries.
The scientific study investigated and compared the self-reported sexual experiences of 1.836 women in Edo State, Nigeria, in 1998-1999. The study involved healthy premenopausal women, most of whom were married and sexually active.
The aim of the study was to measure the frequency of self-reported female orgasms during sexual intercourse and symptoms of reproductive tract infections among cut and uncut women in Edo State, Nigeria.
Female genital cutting, also known as female circumcision or female genital mutilation (FGM), refers to the removal of part(s) of the external genitalia (clitoral hood, clitoris, labia minora or labia majora).
Many African cultures practice different forms of female genital cutting for socio-cultural reasons. The cut Nigerian women in this study reportedly had "less severe" forms of genital cutting than the more extreme forms of genital cutting which are commonly practised in east African countries.
Results of the study:
The study compared women who did and women who did not undergo the "less severe" types of genital cutting, and found that 66 percent of the cut women had an orgasm during intercourse. However, the cut women were more likely to cite the breasts than the clitoris as their most sensitive body part. The study's authors concluded that genital cutting does not eliminate a woman's sexual sensation, but instead "shift[s] . . . the point of maximal sexual stimulation from the clitoris . . . or labia to the breasts."
Based on the same study, the authors reported that any type of genital cutting can increase the chance of urinary infections, itching (pruritus) in the genital area, pain while urinating, and pain during sexual intercourse. So, although this "less severe" type of female genital cutting might not eliminate responsiveness to sexual stimulation, it may be harmful to a woman's reproductive health.
Another study of women in Kenya found that cut women had negative sexual experiences and specifically adverse changes in desire, arousal and satisfaction were experienced among cut women after marriage.
Although many women who have undergone genital cutting may find it difficult to orgasm or enjoy sexual intimacy, there are many cut women who have a fulfilling intimate life with deep orgasms and joyful pleasure.
The Nigerian study debunks the myth that African women who have undergone genital cutting cannot orgasm. Whilst female genital cutting is a controversial and distressing topic, many circumcised women enjoy sex, experience pleasure, and have regular orgasms.
Conclusions:
Source: The association between female genital cutting and correlates of sexual and gynaecological morbidity in Edo State, Nigeria - PubMed (nih.gov)
- 45% of the women were cut/circumcised, 55% were not cut (uncircumcised).
- 32% of the women had type I genital cutting (at least partial removal of the clitoris), 11% had type II (at least partial removal of the clitoris and labia minora) and fewer than 2% of the women had type III (at least partial removal of the external genitalia and stitching or narrowing of the vaginal opening) or type IV (any other genital cutting).
- Uncut women were more likely to report that the clitoris is the most sexually sensitive part of their body, while cut women were more likely to report that their breasts are their most sexually sensitive body parts.
- 66% of the cut women and 59% of the uncut women said they usually or always had an orgasm during sexual intercourse.
- No significant differences between cut and uncut women were observed in the frequency of reports of sexual intercourse in the preceding week or month, the frequency of reports of early arousal during intercourse and the proportions reporting experience of orgasm during intercourse.
The study compared women who did and women who did not undergo the "less severe" types of genital cutting, and found that 66 percent of the cut women had an orgasm during intercourse. However, the cut women were more likely to cite the breasts than the clitoris as their most sensitive body part. The study's authors concluded that genital cutting does not eliminate a woman's sexual sensation, but instead "shift[s] . . . the point of maximal sexual stimulation from the clitoris . . . or labia to the breasts."
Based on the same study, the authors reported that any type of genital cutting can increase the chance of urinary infections, itching (pruritus) in the genital area, pain while urinating, and pain during sexual intercourse. So, although this "less severe" type of female genital cutting might not eliminate responsiveness to sexual stimulation, it may be harmful to a woman's reproductive health.
Another study of women in Kenya found that cut women had negative sexual experiences and specifically adverse changes in desire, arousal and satisfaction were experienced among cut women after marriage.
Although many women who have undergone genital cutting may find it difficult to orgasm or enjoy sexual intimacy, there are many cut women who have a fulfilling intimate life with deep orgasms and joyful pleasure.
The Nigerian study debunks the myth that African women who have undergone genital cutting cannot orgasm. Whilst female genital cutting is a controversial and distressing topic, many circumcised women enjoy sex, experience pleasure, and have regular orgasms.
Conclusions:
- Female genital cutting did not significantly reduce sexual feelings in circumcised women. Therefore, female genital cutting should not be used as a justification to reduce sexual desire and activity in women.
- Circumcised women can enjoy sex and experience orgasms just as much as uncut women.
Source: The association between female genital cutting and correlates of sexual and gynaecological morbidity in Edo State, Nigeria - PubMed (nih.gov)
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